By Leslie Ann Aquino There is a place in Sto. Tomas, Batangas where people literally lock their prayers to God. At the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio, there is an area where visiting pilgrims hang on a wall not only padlocks but also rosaries and handkerchiefs as well for the said purpose. (Leslie Aquino / MANILA BULLETIN) Shrine rector Father Joselin Gonda said he was inspired to set up the area two years ago, after seeing the “love locks” at Baclaran Church in Paranaque City. “I recalled the padlocks in Baclaran so I put up this wall with padlocks. After a while, I noticed that people also started hanging rosaries and handkerchiefs,” he said in an interview. “Ther are locking their prayers to Jesus...before they lock, they pray first,” added Gonda. He said even the image of Jesus Christ hanging on the Cross hugging Padre Pio near the wall is very meaningful. “If you look at Padre Pio his hand was holding on to Christ with the other turned up...it is in order for us to turn to Padre Pio for our prayers and he will bring it to Jesus,” explained Gonda. The priest said while the saint is known for healing, it is not the only thing that people who come to the National Shrine of the saint pray for. “Actually I would not want to associate only Padre Pio with healing. There are so many blessings being received by people not only healing. There are couples who for years are no longer communicating but eventually forgive each other even if they didn't get back together,” Gonda said. He said he also recently presided over a wedding of a couple who found each other because of their devotion to Padre Pio. Gonda said the shrine also became a go-to place of those who are about to take an exam. “I blessed this group from La Salle who asked to be prayed over as they were about to take the bar exams. All of them eventually passed. That probably became known to others so now they also come here,” he said. In fact, Gonda said when they bless religious items some of the faithful also bring their pencils, ballpens, calculators to have them blessed as well. “So, you see there are many other blessings that you can get thru the intercession of Padre Pio,” he said. The visit of the incorrupt heart relic of St. Padre Pio to the Philippines ended Friday.